Ceramic vault



Sept. 3, .940.

567g A INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.;

Sept. 3, 1940.

R. s. DoNAHl-:Y 2,213,187

CERAMIC VAULT Filed March :51, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR.

ATTORNEY,

Patented Sept. 3, 1940 Y f lUNITI-:u STATES PATENT orifice CERAMIC VAULT Richard S. Donahey, New Philadelphia, Ohio Application March 31, 1937, Serial No. 134,106

2 Claims. (Cl. 27--35) This nVeIltOIl relates t large ceramic arti- It is recognized that tiling clay shrinks durcles and method of making the same and is paring the stage of drying preliminary to ring and ticularly directed towards an improvement in also during the firing. Such shrinkage must the burial vault disclosed by my Patent No. necessarily be allowed for by difference in size 5 2,063,421 and to improvements in the method of between the green and the finished product so manufacturing important components of that that the dimensions of the article as completed Vault. will be correct and there will be no uneven In making ceramic articles or" the clay tile stresses resulting in cracks or other defects, but

variety, Whether vitried or not, the problem of mere size allowance is not suiicient, because irreducing losses in firing is one which increases regularities of mass distribution and of shape, un- 10 in diiiculty as the size of the article increases. .less properly compensated, give rise to uneven In the larger sizes these losses, due to warping, shrinkage concentrated localized stresses. checking, and cracking, becomes excessive or even To the accomplishment of this result of correct prohibitive and have hitherto prevented the eomdimensions and freedom from localized stresses mercial production of monolithic baked' clay I produce my end or stopper with certain char- 1b products in the larger size ranges in elds for racteristics of shape, which may be modified as to which they are otherwise very well suited. For detail, whereby the inevitable shrinkage is not example, a clay stopper (also known as a lid, productive of injury to the nished product, and or end) for closing a drain end cannot practically I make irl my DYOCeSS Cel-tain allowances for be made of diameter much in excess of 12 inches such shrinkage which, when considered in their 20 and even in this size the losses in firing frerelation'tO the Shapes emplOyed, are elTeCtVe quently rise as high as although similar fOr this' purposestoppers on the order of 6 inches in diameter TO the aCCOIIlplShmeIlt Of 100th the fOIegOiIlg may show only a 1% ring loss. The diicultes and related purposes, said invention, then, con- 25 increase so rap-idly as the size of the stopper insists of the means hereinafter fully described and 25 creases that it is at present not considered prac- Particularly Pointed Out lh the Claimsticable to make such a stopper more than 12 The annexed drawings and the fOlOWhg deinches in diameter. Wherea larger size is necessClDtlOIl Set fOlth irl detail 011e methOCl and One sary other materias are generany used. PrO-duet exemplifyins `my invention, Such dis- It is known to make one-piece burial vaults CIOSed DIOCe-ule and Produ-Ct GODStitutrlg, hOW- 30 of a single cylindricau vitrines or burned nie on ever, but One of Various applications of the printhe order of 7 feet long and 3 feet inside diam- CipleS 0f my lVeIltOIleter, large enough to receive an ordinary casket, In the aeeempahyhg dlaWIlgS all as shown in my Patent 2,063,42L In one Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section aspect my present invention concerns an imthIOugh my mplOVed Vault; 35 proved cylindrical part or tube of such a vault. Fg- 2 iS a VeW 0f either end 0f the Same, Another aspect relates to the making of ends or Without the StODDeI but Showing a Casket in Stoppers for such Vaults of the same material as platre; the tube. 'I'he making of sueh ends has hither- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section illustrating a 40 to been diicult and unduly expensive for the joint ina tWO-DeCe tube; f 40 reasons mentioned above. However, it is very Fg- 4 S a lOIlgtudlIlal SeCtOll through an imdesirable to use the same material for the stop- DTOVeCl J'Orlt; pers because of its inherent advantages over con- Fig. 4A iS a SeCtiOIl COYTBSDOYldIlg t0 Fia 4, crete or` metal on the score of everlasting durabut ShOWllE a mOClCatOh;

bility, cheapness if manufacturing troubles can F'lg- 5 s a DeTSpeCti/e View Of an end ready for 45 be mastered, uniformity ofv appearance with the firing; trunk of the vault. Figs. 6 and 'l are elevations, on a smaller scale This aspect of my invention covers an imthan Fig. 5, illustrating other arrangements for proved vault, and particularly emphasizes an end firing or stopper made of fired clay, preferably Vitri- Flgs- 3 and 9 ale a Central SeCtOh and a plan, 50 ned, in one piece and of diameters on the order respectively, Of the end Shown in Fis. 5, but with of 24 inches or more, up at least to the full out- DeYOTatOIlS differently spaced; side vault diameter. My invention relates both Fgs- 10 and 11 are a Central SeCtOh and end to such articles of manufacture and to the proc- VeW TeSDeCtVely through e mOded fOIm 0f end. ess of producing the same. My present improved vault comprises a tube'l 55 and detachable ends 5 applied thereto by suitable fastenings, one of which, particularly adapted for this service, is shown in detail in Fig. 4. Although it is ordinarily contemplate-d that the tube will be a single piece, circumstances may render its manufacture in longitudinal sections advisable, as is indicated in Fig. 3 illustrating adjacent parts of sections IA and IB joined at 2 and fastened by tie rods 3, some of which are omitted to simplify the drawing. The tube is constructed with a plurality of lugs, preferably continuous parallel ribs l on the inside wall, and perforated as at 8 for the passage of the tie rods 3. Detachable feet I2 support the tube horizontally, with two of the ribs 'I level to receive, guide and support the casket I5 thereon.

The vault, with the casket therein, is closed by the lids 5, which make a water-tight and airtight joint at I'I with the tube I. The joints I'I (and 2 if the tube is sectional) may be ground and preferably will also be made up with any suitable sealing material. By grinding the joint and using a very thin layer of cement (the thickness is exaggerated in Fig. 4) an enduring watertightness is obtained without rabbets, tonguesand-grooves, or similar arrangements, although such formations may be employed if desired.

A detail of a preferred fastening means is shown in Fig. 4. This consists of an internally threaded nut 2S in a countersink 22 in the end of the tube I, the countersink being concentric with the rod passage 8. Screwdriver slots 24 permit the nut to be set up on the end of the tie rod 3 and tightly against a washer I I) of lead, soft copper, or other suitable material in the bottom of the countersink 22. A stud 2S passing through a hole 28 which may be lined with a headed close-tting soft metal sleeve 21 in the rim of the lid 5, also takes into the threads of the nut 2D. This stud 26 is best formed with an enlarged head 3D.

Fig. 4A illustrates modifications of the fastening details and of the lid, which modifications are capable of use in Various combinations. The barrel IC of the vault is the same as in the other forms of construction, and the end view would be no different from that of Fig. 2. The lugs 7A, instead of extending the full length of the vault, extend only a short distance inward. They may be formed inside the vault by any suitable method, but preferably are separately made and branched on to the inside of the Vault while the clay is still green. The lid 5B is here shown as modified from the lid of Fig. 5 and as having a seat 35 for a nut 36 on the short bolt 31 which passes through registering openings in the lug IA and in the lid and is headed at its inner end. The form of lid which may be employed is optional so that either lid 5 or lid 5B may be used if the holes register. In order to provide a bearing between the lid and the lug 1A, where the holes are so far inside, the lid 5A, shown in Fig. 10, must be modified by an interior shoulder 38.

As previously stated, the invention, besides the provision of the foregoing improved form of the vault tube and the fastenings, also includes an irMn-proved one-piece end closure and method of manufacturing the same, as hereafter explained and as illustrated by Figs. 5 to 1l inclusive.

Fig. 5 illustrates an end 5 set up on a kiln floor 40 ready for firing. The same method is applicable to modified forms such as 5A or 5B. The end 5, which is outwardly convex, rests by its inner edge on a ring of blocks 44, spaced apart as at 46 to permit access of gases, heat, salt for vitrifying (if the tile is to be vitriiied), and the kiln atmosphere generally, to the under side of the end. The end rests only by its weight on these blocks 46, which blocks are laid but not fastened to the kiln fioor 40, allowing free movement of expansion .and contraction.

Fig. 8 illustrates a mid-section through the end 5 taken on any plane through opposite bolt holes 28. The form of tile here illustrated comprises a flat annular rim 52 and a spherical or spheroidal principal surface or dome 53.

In the modified form 5A shown in Fig. 10 the entire end is convex and rimless, with flat bottom edge 60 and bolt holes 28A countersunk as at 28B. The actual lid shown in Figs. 10 and l1 is provided with bolt holes adapted for registry with the tile shown in my Patent No. 2,063,421 where the tie rods are spaced further out. As already mentioned, where this form of lid is to be used with fastenings spaced further in, it must bc modified as indicated at 5B, Fig. 4A.

In forming the end 5, Fig. 8, in green clay the oversize which must be allowed for shrinkage depends upon the characteristics of the clay buiJ is on the order of 1 inch to the foot in superficial dimensions. Thus for an end to have finished diameter of 40 inches, assuming a rim width C 21A; inches, the finished inside diameter D of the dome 53 would be 35% inches. Allowing for the shrinkage at the rate of approximately l. inch to the foot, and disregarding the difference in length between arc and chord, the end would be made up in the green state with outside diameter, D+2C=e31/3; composed thus:

:-"5.43. In dimensions of thickness a greater allowance is necessary. For example, assuming.; that the radial thickness of the dome 53, such as the dimension E Fig. 8, is to be 11/8 inch after firing, the dome would be made in a green thickness of 11A inch.

In making the ends 5A or 5B corresponding allowances are made. In all these ends the dome, by changing its contour, makes up for expansion and contraction changes which occur in curing, firing and cooling and thus avoids the large cracking loss which has hitherto made it commercially impossible to produce ends or Stoppers much above a foot in diameter.

While I have not made exhaustive studies of the underlying scientific principles whereby such a great reduction in curing and firing losses is accomplished, it appears that the internal stresses due to changes of dimension during' these steps result in slight alterations in the contour of the dome. As a result stresses which would occasion cracks or breaks in a large flat stopper are taken up by the dome camber and cause no injurious results.

Various modifications of the firing arrangement shown in Fig. 5 are possible. For example, several ends 5 may be successively piled, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Another possibility is that of Fig. 7, in which the tile which is set endwise on spaced blocks 111, another series of blocks 44 is placed on the upper end of the tile, and the end 5A or 5 is placed on top of the upper series of blocks.

In the arrangements of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, it will be observed that the spacing of the blocks is sufficient to allow circulation to interior sui'- faces and under surfaces.

The arrangement of Fig. '7 is particularly advantageous as economizing space in firing a number of complete vaults. Obviously, it is advantageous from a manufacturing standpoint to be able to make up requirements of vaults and ends for stock all at the same time and with a single firing. By putting one end on each vault as in Fig. 7, and stacking the remaining ends as in Fig. 6, efficient kiln loading can be accomplished. Another possibility of kiln ar rangement is in the situation where vaults are to be made in two pieces (Fig. 3), each piece can be set up for ring with one end on top as in Fig. '7. It is, however, not ordinarily contemplated to make the vaults in more than one piece unless some unusual condition, such as shipping space limitations, require it.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have improved upon my previous Vault by simplifying the construction and reducing the amount of material required. It will also be seen that as regards the manufacture of the large end stopper, I have ydiscovered a method of so greatly reducing firing losses as to open up a new eld of possibilities in the ceramic art.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the product and method herein disclosed, provided the step or steps stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated step or steps be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A burial vault comprising in combination a vitried clay tube and vitried clay end closures, ribs within said tube running lengthwise on the interior walls thereof, burial casket supporting rails within said tube consisting of certain of said ribs oppositely symmetrically disposed, and fastening means between said tube and closures, said fastening means comprising tension elements running through said ribs.

2. A burial vault comprising a vitrified clay body, ribs within said body running lengthwise on the interior walls thereof, certain of said ribs being oppositely symmetrically disposed and spaced apart less than the internal diameter of the body to provide runways to receive and support a casket thereon.

RICHARD S. DONAHEY. 

